Loop hike in Dinant : towards Waulsort via Freÿr
This circular walking tour in Dinant takes you from Neffe to Waulsort, which was once a very popular resort town.
The starting point for the nearly 25 km hike is located in Neffe, two kilometers from the center of Dinant, near the Cochonnet mosan pétanque court and right next to the Gîtes Kangourou Dinant.
The first part of this route takes you to Waulsort, through woods and countryside, on the left bank of the Meuse. The return journey follows the Meuse on the right bank, through woods and meadows.
Note : We did this hike in snowy conditions. Some of the photos in this article were taken at a different time of year. This is the case for the photo pinned at the top of the article, showing the Meuse River near Anseremme. This route is indeed one of our favorites!
Along the Charlemagne road
Starting from Neffe, we follow the pétanque court and then pass under the railway tunnel. As soon as we're through the tunnel, we turn left. After passing a few houses and warehouses, a path awaits us. It runs alongside the railway line, gradually gaining elevation. It leads us under the imposing viaduct that spans the Meuse River, which you can see high in the sky.
Below, we can see Île d'Amour and, beyond, the hamlet ofAnseremme. Shortly before reaching the viaduct, we continue along the path to the right. The path continues to climb. Finally, it joins a paved service road that passes under the viaduct. We take it to the right: it leads us towards the N97, also known as the Route Charlemagne.
Where the service road meets the main road, we prefer the path that beckons us to the left. This path is bordered on one side by trees and on the other by a grassy area. The path soon veers away from the main road, continuing its course between woods and grassy terrain.
After walking about 500 meters, a path branches off to the left towards the edge of the hillside we are overlooking. Leave the path to reach the edge of the hillside: there you will discover a splendid panorama of the Meuse and Anseremme.
Without retracing your steps, continue walking: this path leads you back to the main trail a little further on. Continue to the left. The path seems to lead you towards the Charlemagne road; it runs alongside it briefly before veering away again.
After about 3 km, the path brings you back close to the Charlemagne road. A tunnel opens on your right: ignore it and continue your walk, bearing slightly left.
Through woods and countryside towards the Lenne farm
The path gives way to a wider forest track. You will notice the St. James of Compostela markers on the section we are taking.
Gradually, the Charlemagne road recedes into the distance , and we enter a peaceful wood. After 1 km, ignore the path that branches off to the left. Do the same for the next two paths, one on the right and the other again on the left.
About 500 meters further on, however, turn left. The path becomes less distinct, squeezed between trees that seem to want to engulf it. Imperceptibly, it climbs.
Then the path opens onto a meadow, which you follow along the left side, before joining a wider country lane.
Follow him: he will take you to Lenne Farm. You can't miss it, it's so imposing right in front of you.
Arrival in Waulsort and exploration of the resort village on the banks of the Meuse
As you approach Lenne Farm, you will come to a T-junction. Ignore the left branch and continue straight ahead on the right one.
Soon, you'll come to a second T-junction: this time, bear left. Then at the next junction, a Y-junction this time, ignore the right-hand branch (a gravel path) and take the tarmac road instead.
This road quickly takes you to Waulsort, descending gently through fields after passing a second farm. After crossing the countryside for about 1 km, a more wooded landscape awaits you, leading you to the first houses of Waulsort.
By arriving in Waulsort, you will have already walked almost 8 km.
Ignore the first path on the right that goes up and the second on the right that goes down: stay on the road that winds its way to the center of the village.
The route takes you through Waulsort via Collard Street, before returning via Villas Street. You're unlikely to get lost: feel free to wander through the village streets, crisscrossed by small paths.
In particular, don't miss Villa 1900, a testament to the golden age of the village of Waulsort, a popular holiday destination. You can follow the latest news about this place via the Villa 1900 Facebook page.
The objective of this part of the walking route is to reach the Meuse and… cross it.
Crossing the Meuse at Waulsort and continuing the hike
When the ferryman is in operation, from April to October, we do not hesitate to take his boat to reach the other side.
Failing that, the practical alternative is to go through the lock. Unless you enjoy swimming… The detour via the lock adds almost 2.5 km to your journey.
If you pass through the lock, you will have the chance to see theHermitage of Cascatelles, one of the most emblematic buildings in the region, nestled in a green setting, immersed in time.
Whichever option you choose for the crossing, the journey continues by following the pier, going down the river (above all, do not go up it: you will get further away from Dinant).
The water ferryman of Waulsort
Once common on the Meuse, the water crossings have all disappeared… except for the one at Waulsort.
This public service owes its existence to the railway line passing through Waulsort in the second half of the 19th century. Thanks to the water crossing, the inhabitants of Falmignoul could take the train in Waulsort, rather than going to Dinant.
Currently, it operates during the tourist season, from April 1st to September 30th. The crossing is done manually, by pulling an underwater cable.
The crossing is free (a tip is not forbidden).
From Waulsort to Freÿr, via the Cascatelles hermitage
TheHermitage of the Cascatelles is well worth a visit. If you cross the Meuse at the lock, you'll inevitably pass this isolated, renovated building. If you're crossing on the ferry, take the time to go there (walking along the Meuse on the right).
This part of the route, along the Meuse, is peaceful. At most, you will encounter other walkers, fishermen… or cattle busy grazing the grass in total indifference to you.
You're unlikely to get lost: the path follows the banks of the Meuse, through meadows and groves. It's also a section of two GR long-distance footpaths : the 125 and the 126.
Further on, the path winds between the Meuse and an oxbow lake. After this section, the GR (long-distance hiking trails) branch off to the right. You can follow them or continue straight ahead: you'll rejoin them a little further on, once again walking along the riverbank.
As you approach a bend in the river, you'll see imposing rocks on your right. And on your left, beyond the river, Freÿr Castle rises up very quickly.
You've arrived at a climber's paradise: the Freÿr. It's one of the most popular spots in Belgium for outdoor climbing. Even in winter, it's not uncommon to see climbing enthusiasts clinging to the vertical rock faces overlooking the Meuse River.
The Hermitage of the Waterfalls
Originally, at the beginning of the 19th century, a mill was built on this site, on the banks of the Ranle stream.
Initially a flour mill and then an oil mill, the building was destroyed by fire a few years later.
At the end of the 19th century, the ruins gave way to a new building, at the initiative of the architect Paul Mennessier. The house took the name of the Cascatelles hermitage, due to its isolation.
Then the place became a country house, occupied by people from Brussels.
But it eventually fell into disuse. Lacking basic amenities (no running water, no electricity), the place was abandoned. It fell into ruin and was hardly noticed except by hikers, despite the vegetation that gradually seemed to engulf it.
In the early 2020s, the building underwent a major renovation, as evidenced by the photo opposite.
In 2022, the local television station Matélé devoted a report to the renovation of the Hermitage of Cascatelles.
From Freÿr to Neffe: end of the loop hike
We continue along the Meuse, ignoring all the paths that climb up to your right.
Without you realizing it, your steps lead you gently through the woods towards Anseremme.
You enter the hamlet via Rue des Côteaux. After a bend to the right and another to the left, we take a path that veers off to the left. It passes behind tennis courts, crosses a stone bridge near the marina, and finally leads you to the Priory of Anseremme and the houses along the river.
We have already taken this section of the footpath, in the other direction, during another hike starting from Neffe.
Continuing along the Meuse, you will reach the lock which allows you to cross back to the other bank. Turning right, you will pass under the viaduct again and arrive back at the starting point.
Interested in this walking route in Dinant ?
We make the GPS track available to guests of Gites kangourou Dinant.
If you would like to obtain it without staying in our gîte, go to Komoot to download it for free.
On our Facebook page, we posted a short video of one of our latest crossings with the Waulsort Water Ferryman.
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